First State of India to Pass Law Against Social Boycott is Maharashtra [ Current Affairs ]

(April 14, 2016)

The Maharashtra Prohibition of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2016 to end the danger social boycott trained by extra-judicial institutions like caste and community panchayats, has been passed by the Maharashtra legislature has universally.

By adopting a comprehensive law to root out oppression carried out by parallel justice delivery system (kangaroo court) in the name of age old traditions, caste and religion Maharashtra becomes first state in the country to pass the law.

Key Features of Bill

The Bill described social boycott as a crime and if any found involving in it would face incarceration maximum up to three years and a fine of 1 lakh rupees or both.

It bans social boycott of any separate or groups by caste panchayats or groups of individuals or gavki or by its members or by social or economically powerful persons.

Any persons who found involved in practice of social boycott even for reasons like rituals of worship, inter-caste marriage, any connection to lifestyle, dress or vocation will face stringent punishment.

The person identified with this crime will be registered under the act cognizable and bailable.

It will be strained by a judicial magistrate of the first class.

The victim of social boycott or any member of the victim’s family can file a complaint either to police or directly to the magistrate.

The bill has designated quickly trial within six months of filing chargesheet in such cases to confirm time-bound results.

Governments will employee social boycott prohibition officers to safeguard specialist care and to detect crimes and assist the magistrate and police officers to attempting such cases.

Background

Maharashtra had observed an increasing number of incidents of social boycott and violence at the orders of caste panchayats in the recent time.

And existing laws are insufficient in dealing with such practices.

From long time number of objectors and academicians in the state were demanding strict law to come out from the social boycotts in the state.